Four months of raw sewage on Durban road
Overflowing manholes have forced motorists and taxis to take longer routes
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Sewage is spilling into the road at 122270 Street in Siyanda A near KwaMashu. Photos: Tsoanelo Sefoloko
Streams of raw sewage from three overflowing manholes along the main road in Siyanda A near KwaMashu have started to form deep pools.
Residents say this has been going on for at least four months and they have repeatedly reported it, with little result. They have to keep their doors and windows closed against the smell. Sometimes rocks have to be placed as stepping stones to cross the road.
People living in the area worry about the effect it is having on the health of their children, who are sometimes in contact with the dirty water. “In summer we experience lots of flies,” said Ntombifuthi Nxumalo.
Resident Mhlaba Mkhize said motorists and taxis have to take a longer route to avoid the sewage.
“We are unable to use the entrance to our yard. We are forced to go through our neighbour’s gate,” said Zinhle Ntombela. She said she has reported the issue to the municipality and the ward councillor.
Municipal workers come out but the problem soon returns, residents said.
EThekwini municipality spokesperson Luthando Ngubane said they are working to resolve the problem. “The problem with the residents is that they don’t keep the reference numbers after logging a complaint,” said Ngubane.
A week after this article was first published, GroundUp learned that the sewage leak had been fixed by the municipality. Residents said Mayor Cyril Xaba visited the area after the article was published.
Resident Mhlaba Mkhize said he is happy now that the sewage has stopped overflowing after having reported it to the municipality many times. “Now I have dignity, and it will be easy even to invite friends. It was so difficult to invite people to braai because of the smell that was coming from the sewage,” he said.
Ntombifuthi Nxumalo said she is happy now that the sewage has been cleaned after months. “We hope that the sewage won’t overflow in a few weeks’ time,” said Nximalo.
Mhlaba Mkhize shows the pool of sewage next to his house.
One of the manholes overflowing in Siyanda A.
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© 2026 GroundUp. This article is published under the GroundUp Republication Licence Version 1.0. Email [email protected] to request permission to republish.